This talk was given in the Belmont, MA ward on September 17, 2017…
I moved from Greenwood Village, Colorado to Belmont, MA in July to attend Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, and study in their Prevention Science Program.
Although my children are not active in church I hope that someday you will have the opportunity to meet them. Caleb, my oldest, still lives in Colorado and works full time as a SAT/ACT test prep tutor while attending CUDenver.
My younger children live with their father in Atlanta where they had 3 days off of school this week because of power outages from Hurricane Irma. Joshua is attending Georgia State University and loves music and iPhone app development. Hannah is a senior in high school, is an artist and is teaching herself to play the guitar, Jacob is a freshman and is an active member of the Jr. ROTC and the men’s chorus.
I have been divorced a little over 3 years now, but the kids living with their father is a fairly new thing. Although it has been a source of deep heartache for me, I have felt comforted and guided by Heavenly Father throughout this journey. In a church that values family above all else it can be an awkward thing to come to church alone each week so I’m grateful for new friends who have made me feel welcome by sharing a meal or a walk or by inviting me to sit with you during church. Thank you!
When Brother Barnes asked me to introduce myself and share my favorite scripture I initially thought it would be easy, but then I realized I couldn’t possibly count just one as my favorite.
Throughout the past years of conflict and grief I have turned to the Lord for guidance and solace through prayer and studying the scriptures over and over again.
I relied on the example of Alma and his people when they were in bondage to the Lamanites…
Mosiah 24:13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
I can witness with surety that the Lord has strengthened me in my afflictions and that he offers his strength to all of us. I also know that he has delivered me out of the bondage of anger and bitterness as I have…
“Trust(ed) in the Lord with all (my) heart; and lean(ed) not unto (my) own understanding. As I learn to acknowledge him in all ways, he (has) directed (my) path (to be here).
The story of this move to Massachusetts begins in part when I received my patriarchal blessing when I was 18 years old. I was counseled that “All truth is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ so it’s important that you obtain all of the learning that you possibly can.” and that I should “continue my schooling and graduate”.
After serving a mission at the Washington DC Temple Visitors Center I eventually did graduate from BYU with a degree in Special Education shortly after my oldest was born.
Throughout the following years of being a stay at home mom I had been casually searching for a Master’s program that felt compelling, but my undergraduate degree helped me be able to work part time after my children started school and blessed me to be able to get my first full time teaching job after my divorce.
Despite feeling overwhelmed with all the life changes of divorce and custody conflicts and starting a new job as a new teacher at a new school, Heavenly Father’s words as recorded by Isaiah and in Hymn #85 have been a direct and personal message of comfort for many years in my times of need…
Fear not I am with thee oh be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid, I’ll bless thee and help thee and cause thee to stand, upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand.
and day by day with the Lord’s help I am figuring out my new life.
In Colorado as I was working at a charter high school with students with learning needs ranging from disabilities to gifted, I found that so many of our students are dealing with high levels of anxiety and discouragement. Although I could relate, I wasn’t sure how to help. After a particularly frustrating conversation with a student who shared that he wanted to drop out of school I did a google search on graduate programs in motivation. To my surprise the first entry on the list was Harvard. I had been searching for local schools but as I read through the description and philosophy of Harvard’s program I felt the spirit swell my heart, tears came to my eyes and in my mind was the thought – this is what I have been looking for!
Although I was caught off guard I felt that the Holy Ghost was making me pay attention and that I better not ignore it, and should at least apply.
To my amazement I was accepted and I recognize that like Nephi I was being led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things that I should do or where this journey would end.
Trusting in the Lord I downsized from my 3 bedroom condo, giving the majority of my furniture to Caleb, drove alone across this beautiful country with only what could fit in my car and what Liz Tanneyhill graciously offered to move in her truck, and here I am.
Ultimately if you ask me what my favorite scripture is it will be whichever one the Holy Ghost has brought to my remembrance for what I need right now. As I keep trying to pattern my life after our Savior Jesus Christ and learn from and about his example I find D&C 88:63 even more humbling and compelling when he says…
Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
We have access to the joy of knowing our personal Savior if we will seek him. I have experienced the hope that is promised when we turn to him and like Moroni… I would (also) commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever.
